SAN MARCOS, Calif.—Dissatisfied with its defensive effort in Friday's season opener, the Chico State men's basketball team raised its intensity on that end of the floor in its second game at the CCAA/PacWest Conference Challenge Saturday at Cal State San Marcos. Biola bore the brunt of the Wildcats' frustration. Chico State forced 10 first-half turnovers and turned them into 18 points, taking control early and cruising to an 80–58 victory.
 
The seventh-ranked Wildcats got four steals and 17 points from point guard Jalen McFerren to improve to 1-1. Corey Silverstrom had 15 points and matched his career high with six assists. Justin Briggs chipped in 15 points and five rebounds, and Isaiah Ellis pitched in 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
The Wildcats shot 64 percent in the first half to build a 40–28 advantage, and hit 30-of-54 attempts in the game, including 10-of-18 from 3-point range. Silverstrom was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, McFerren 3-for-6, and freshman Isaiah Brooks connected on both of his attempts on the way to an eight-point night.
 
Chico State generated a number of turnovers early in the game, but Biola got off to a hot shooting start to stay close until the Wildcats clamped down even harder. They held the Eagles without bucket during a seven-plus minute span that resulted in a 15–1 run and ended with McFerren's transition basket and a 32–17 lead.
 
Chico State's lead remained in double-digits from that point on.
 
An 11–2 run, capped by a McFerren triple with 5:06 to go, gave Chico State a 70–50 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach.
 
The Wildcats will open California Collegiate Athletic Association play with another road game on Nov. 18 at Humboldt State—a game that will be streamed on WatchESPN and the ESPN app—before playing their first home game on Nov. 22 versus Dominican.